by Bonny Capps
I bite the inside of my cheek as his words sink in. Brothel? Prostitutes? Not only do these men produce snuff films, but they are also involved in sex trade—illegal sex trade—and these girls are probably underage and here against their will. It makes me sick to my stomach.
Dimitri grabs my jaw and presses his lips to mine before turning and ascending the stairs. “I’ll see you in my room tonight, Sofia. Be there at 7 PM sharp. Do not be late. I have a surprise for you.”
I let out a slow breath as my eyes find Vadim’s. “His surprises scare me.”
Vadim nods slowly as he places a hand on my lower back and leads me out the front door. I stop and inhale the crisp winter’s air. It’s been weeks since I’ve been outside, and the sense of freedom is overwhelming as the flakes of snow drift from the sky and kiss my cheeks.
“He’s an animal,” I murmur as we stand on the porch surrounding the large home.
“He’s also infatuated with you, krasavaya.”
I smile at his words. “Always krasavaya …” I hold up my hands and quote him mockingly. “Krasavaya, krasavaya, krasavaya.”
“Do you blame me?” he asks as he leads me toward the frozen lake.
I tilt my head as I look up at him. “Blame you?”
“You are beautiful,” he remarks, and I blush.
“You call me beautiful now, but I was nothing but cattle to you when you took me.”
He stops us beneath a large, drooping tree. The snow that’s gathered threatens to break the branches clean in half.
“I regret it, Sofia. The unfortunate truth is that I have taken many, but I also never had a chance to get to know them … like you.”
I huff, sending my breath tumbling out like smoke from my lips as a result of the cold. “You never had to take me, Vadim. You chose to. You killed my uncle. You ruined my life.”
“You’re right,” he remarks, placing a hand on my shoulder and leading me further from the estate. “But I can try to make up for it.”
I step towards the frozen lake, and he hands me the skates that he bought me. “You’ll never make up for it, Vadim. I’m here because of you.”
“You’ve made it apparent,” he says, and I whip around to face him.
“What do you expect?”
“Nothing,” he breathes out. “I expect nothing, but I’d like it if you’d at least try.”
I smirk as I sit on a tree stump and remove my shoes. “You’re lucky that I don’t deck you in the face right now. I have a history of doing so,” I say, removing my shoes and lacing up my new skates.
“I’d deserve it if you did,” he says as my gaze meets his.
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
“Because, you’re a phoenix. And I’m afraid you’ll shake off the ashes and destroy us all.”
“Yeah?” I say, allowing my feet to glide across the ice. “You have no idea.”
She is the equivalent of a rising angel. She will be my undoing.
“Deeper,” I sigh as the new whore’s mouth moves up and down my shaft.
I grab at her golden hair and imagine that she is my future wife. “Yes,” I growl as she eagerly takes me deep into her throat. Then, she gags and my attention is lost.
“Get the fuck out!” I snap, and the girl’s frightened wide eyes find mine.
“I–I’m sorry, sir. I can try again. Did I do something wrong?” she pleads. Her whiny voice annoys me.
“Get. The. Fuck. Out,” I growl, narrowing my eyes at her.
She scurries off of the floor before grasping her clothing and holding it over her bare chest. Once she runs from the room frantically, I zip up my fly before standing and approaching the window.
My eyes drift from the snowcapped pine trees to the lake below. Leaning against the window, I sigh as I watch Sofia glide, spin, and jump.
When my new blades first touched the ice, I was hesitant to let myself be free. However, while I’m still imprisoned within the dacha’s perimeter, I finally have my frozen stage beneath my feet. When Crystalize by Lindsey Stirling begins to play, I allow myself to feel the music once again.
Closing my eyes, I do an old set that I performed before at competition. I turn and glide backwards on the ice before kicking off and spinning, landing the Toe Loop.
Next, I go for a triple axel. One of the hardest jumps to perform, because you take it head on which adds a half rotation making it three and a half rotations—but I land it.
My soul roars as I allow myself to feel again … to be. I don’t allow Dimitri or Vadim to cloud this moment. This moment belongs to me, and only me.
I don’t think I’ve ever reached this kind of height with my jumps before and in the figure skating world, that is a good thing. A very good thing. If I were at a competition performing like this, I’d get bonus points for jumping ‘beautifully’—beautiful meaning that I’m reaching major height and I’m covering a lot of ice. This lake is about the size of a football field, so I take full advantage. My speed is that of a freight train and my technique is on point, more than it’s ever been.
The pieces of me have not been lost, and I cling to them with a vice grip. For the first time since being here, I’m convinced that I will not be broken. I will not be destroyed. Though it doesn't make me proud, I may have to play Dimitri’s game of cat and mouse. In order to survive, I must do things that I’m not proud of.
I concentrate on running the razor upwards one last time before lowering my leg back into the steaming water. At “7 PM sharp,” I went to Dimitri’s room and discovered a white clothing box on the neatly made bed. A letter set atop the box and it read:
I’ll be here at 8 pm, little mouse. Get cleaned up.
-Dimitri
I have no idea what his surprise could be and, frankly, I’m afraid to find out. It seems that Dimitri’s intentions are never good.
Once I get out of the shower, I dry my hair and curl the ends, leaving it down before applying my makeup. Then, I open the box. Inside, I find a lacy, black brassiere and a matching thong. Below the lingerie, there is a very tight, and very short, red dress along with some crystal-embellished, suede Louboutin pumps that probably cost him an arm and a leg.
I dress myself and then stare up at the antique grandfather clock on the far side of the room. My heart picks up the pace as I await his arrival. Two minutes.
The door cracks open, and I stare up at him. He’s wearing a tuxedo and it’s tailored to perfection. I can nearly make out his muscles as he stands before me. His usually amuck hair is combed suavely to the side in classic fashion. He takes my breath away and, for a moment, I almost forget the monster that he is.
“You look absolutely stunning,” he breathes out as he slowly approaches me. “You are going to be the most beautiful bride in Russian history.”
Placing his index finger under my chin, he lifts my face to his. He has astonishing eyes, they’re like burning embers. They hold no truth, or promise. They have an uncertainty about them.
I lick my lips. “You look very handsome.”
He smiles as his eyes drift to my lips. “It’s time to go, little mouse.”
I nod as he grabs my hand and leads me through the hall and down the stairs. I’m shocked when we turn the corner and enter a room that I’ve never been in before.
A table for two awaits us. It’s covered in black silk, matching the rest of the gothic style room. Sconces line the walls, and the very dim lighting is accompanied by soft candlelight.
Dimitri places a hand on my lower back and leads me further into the room. “I wanted to make-up for that night, little mouse,” he says, pulling out a chair and allowing me to sit.
I divert my eyes as he slides onto the chair across from me. “This is nice. Thank you.”
Thanking this man for anything makes my insides coil, but I’m playing his game of hot, cold, hot, cold. I’ve got to keep my head straight, because his certainly is not.
One of the maids walks into the room and pours us each a glass of red wine. The
pungent smell hits my nostrils. I’m not a drinker. I’ve tried before when mom would occasionally offer me a sip, but I’ve never been a fan of the tart taste of potent wine.
“Tonight, we’re having Shashlik. It’s skewered meat. Have you ever had it?”
I shake my head slowly as I lift the wine glass and press it to my lips, hoping that the wine will wet my pallet, but it only makes it drier.
“How are you liking Russia?” he asks, and I almost scoff at him, but I reel it in.
How do I like Russia? Is he serious?
I force a smile. “I love it. I’m learning a lot.”
“I saw you skating earlier. You are very talented. You reminded me of a bird in flight. You definitely make the art look simple, which says a lot about your skill. Vadim said you’ve competed?”
I nod. “I’ve been competing since I was a little girl. I started off being a sweeper, collecting roses and stuffed animals for each program.”
“What made you want to figure skate?” he asks, and I frown.
He wants to know about me for once?
“It’s where I’m supposed to be.”
He surveys me with his eyes for several seconds and I fidget awkwardly in my chair.
“Do I make you uncomfortable, Sofia?”
My eyes dart up to his. “No … well, sometimes I guess.”
“Am I making you uncomfortable now?”
My eyebrows pinch together as I contemplate his question. “Yes,” I whisper.
“Why?” he asks, his tone unreadable.
I sigh. “Because I’m not used to you being like this.”
His hand creeps across the table before he grasps mine and circles his thumb around the diamond that I wear. “You’re going to be my wife, and I do not wish for you to fear me. I want your devotion. I want your admiration and your love.”
After dinner, Dimitri leads me back to his room. I sigh when he steps behind me and trails kisses from my neck to my shoulder.
“I want you in every way,” he rasps. His breath sweeps across my flesh, leaving tingles behind.
He helps me step out of the pumps before unzipping the dress down the back. Dimitri slowly pulls it down, kissing every inch of skin that becomes exposed before turning me around to face him.
“Sofia,” he whispers, his lips hovering above mine. “Tell me that you want me, that you want this.”
I gasp when he squeezes my breasts in his large hands. “I–I want you. I want this.”
He runs a hand up my neck to the back of my hair before tangling his fingers in the strands. “You better not be lying to me, little mouse.”
I shake my head slowly. “I want you, Dimitri. I want this.” Reaching up, I trail an index finger over his strong jaw to his thick lips. “When will you believe me, my love?”
His cognac eyes watch me carefully as I bite my lip seductively. “I shouldn’t have acted the way that I did that night, when we had dinner with your family. Your gift was beautiful, and I should have acted accordingly.”
My hand falls to his bow tie and I untie it before slowly unbuttoning his crisp white shirt. “You’re the most handsome man that I’ve ever seen.” I lean down and kiss his chest before running my tongue to his sternum. “I want you inside of me.”
He growls as he rips his dress shirt and jacket from his shoulders. His lips slam into mine and I frantically grab at his belt as he backs me towards the bed.
Dimitri lifts me and tosses me onto the bed before he covers my body with his. He reaches behind me and unclasps my bra before ripping it from my body. His eyes never leave mine as he leans down and takes my nipple into his mouth. I sigh and arch my back as he circles his tongue around my areola, then he moves on to the other before trailing a kisses down my stomach.
He slightly pulls my panties down on one side before sucking, nipping, and kissing the sensitive skin. I moan as he teases me, and he finally sits up and places a thumb under the sides of my panties before pulling them down my legs.
He grips the backs of my thighs before pushing my knees to the bed. “This is mine,” he murmurs as he observes my pussy. “Understand, that if anyone ever touches what is mine, I will fucking kill them in the most horrific way—and you will watch every second.”
My breath hitches when his head dips down between my thighs and he takes my clit into his mouth. The foreplay left me sated, so it doesn’t take long for an orgasm to sweep through me like a tsunami.
“Please,” I breathe out.
Dimitri crawls over me and I feel the head of his cock at my entrance. “Please what?”
“Please fuck me,” I say, staring him in the eye.
A smug smile crosses his face as he slowly stretches me. I reach behind him and grip his back, digging my nails into his flesh. He begins fucking me furiously as I slide my nails down his muscles to the small of his back. I place my palm flat against his lower back as he pounds into me. I tighten around his length, causing a moan to roll from his lips.
He flips over, taking me with him. “Ride me, little mouse.”
I begin rolling my hips, causing his massive length to go deeper than it ever has. “Oh my God,” I rasp as I pick up the pace.
I stare up at the ceiling, trying to imagine that I’m fucking somebody else passionately, but the reality is—I don’t want to. Trying to convince myself that I do not enjoy Dimitri’s fuck sessions would be a lost cause, because I do. I thoroughly enjoy being ravaged by this man. A monster he is, but his masculine beauty is undeniable. I tried to fool him tonight, yet I only fooled myself into believing that my trickery would work.
My gaze falls to his as his fingers dig into my hips. I allow my eyes to trace his handsome face. From his strong brow to his hooded eyes to his solid jaw and thick lips—he is perfection. How a demon can be wrapped in such beauty is beyond me.
He sits up and grasps my lower back before pulling my lips to his. He kisses me feverishly as he leads my movements, and my need soars before ecstasy crashes down around me. I pull my lips from his as I erupt around his length, crying out my captor’s name.
“No!” I breathe out when I enter the library.
Vadim gently grasps my arm when I try to back out. “It’s not what you think it is, Sofia. You’re going to sit in the chair and state your name, your parents' names, and confirm that you are to marry Dimitri Vavilov. That’s it.”
“Why?” I implore as I look up at him.
His jaw tenses as he becomes frustrated with me. “Because. Now go sit and do as I say.”
I frown as he leads me to the chair. I sit and lean back as he steps behind the video camera mounted on a tripod.
“Smile,” he says as he eyes me.
I give him the fakest smile I can muster and he narrows his eyes at me. My shoulders slump as I huff, then, as ordered, I straighten my back and give him a relaxed smile. He nods as he begins recording.
I swallow hard as I play up my act. “My name is Sofia Dmitriev. I am the daughter of the late David and Lidiya Dmitriev. I am to marry Dimitri Vavilov.”
He smiles as he stops the recording. “See? That wasn’t that hard.”
“I don’t understand why I had to do that, Vadim. Why did I have to state my parents' names? What is going on?”
He walks towards me before reaching down for my hand. “You ask too many questions.”
“Yeah, because it isn’t human nature to ask questions,” I quip, and he chuckles as he helps me up.
“How are you and Dimitri getting along?”
I sigh as my hand slips from his and I approach the window. “We’re getting along great. He’s a happy camper as long as I fuck him … willingly.”
Vadim steps beside me, his shoulder touches mine and it sends shivers down my spine. “Why did you stop me that day, Vadim? When I was in the bath?”
He sighs. “You know why I stopped you, Sofia. Don’t be ignorant.”
“Ignorance is bliss,” I murmur, my eyes remaining fixed on the lake outside.
I feel h
is breath against my cheek as he looks towards me. “I think the better question is why you wanted me to touch you in the first place.”
“Comfort,” I respond immediately. “A choice.”
“That’s it?”
I look up into his eyes. “I’m sure I could give you a list of other reasons, but then I’d be ignorant,” I say, lifting my hands and quoting him mockingly as my gaze travels back to the window.
“I’m much older than you,” he whispers.
I nod. “I know that.”
“I’m also a married man, and you’re soon to be a married woman.”
“You’re married?” I ask, tilting my head to the side as I look at his reflection in the window.
He nods. “Eleven years.”
“Where is she now?”
He shrugs. “It doesn’t matter. Not anymore.”
I frown as I turn to face him. “Is she alive?”
“Barely.”
“I’m not following.”
He smiles weakly as his eyes sober. “You don’t need to. Now come. There is a very busy day ahead.”
“There are four steps to a Russian wedding,” Alina says as she curls my hair. “First, the groom must pay the ransom. We call it vykup nevesty. Then, there is the traditional ceremony, known as venchanie, which is held in a church. But yours will be held in our family’s chapel. It’s divided in two parts; the betrothal and the crowning. After that, there’s the civil ceremony called rospis v zagse. That usually takes place at the department of public services, but we know a man who will come here. It’s tradition to tour the city after the civil ceremony, and I imagine Dimitri will allow that. Basically, you are escorted around the city in a limo to look at the sights. Then, my favorite part,” she says excitedly as she runs her fingers through my hair.
I frown at her. “What?”
“The reception!” she squeaks. “Our family’s tradition is a grand ball. We all wear masks.”
“Like a masquerade?”
She nods. “Exactly. And I’m happy to say that I will be your stylist throughout the entire event. Now,” she says as she exits the bathroom momentarily before returning with a white, flowing gown. “This is what you will wear for when Dimitri pays the ransom. Usually, he would be going to your family home to do so, but …” She eyes me solemnly in the mirror. “We will be doing that here.”